Medical doctor advises youths on perseverance

A medical doctor, Mrs. Elizabeth Oduwole, has advised youths to be diligent, respect authority and persevere when faced with career challenges.

Oduwole, who retired as the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Audit Service Commission, said this in Lagos during her retirement service and 60th birthday programme on Thursday.

She said, “If you don’t persevere you can’t stay in service for this long because events will unfold that will annoy you and you may choose to resign. But the secret is to persevere and look at the big picture. If you continue to be diligent, you will become adept at what you do and more opportunities will come your way.

“My advice to the younger ones is to seek knowledge. You cannot afford to be indolent. Make sure you respect your boss. Show respect to your superior and you get respect in return. My dad told me to respect my boss because it is a seed that will germinate and be reaped. You must be hardworking and prudent.’’

Commending Oduwole, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, said that the retired permanent secretary had left an indelible mark in the three different agencies she headed.

“I urged young ladies in the practice and in the Lagos State Civil Service to emulate the qualities of this outstanding woman which include scholarship, diligence and thirst for excellence. She is a role model and pride of womanhood,’’ she said.

In his address, the Chairman, Lagos State Audit Service Commission, Mr. Waliu Onibon, commended Oduwole for putting “in her best in the service of Lagos State. She is a dedicated senior civil servant whom we all look up to. We have benefitted from her wealth of experience so much that we all call her ‘medical auditor’. She is a great administrator and we will miss her.’’

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